A memorial in the main hallway of Orange Park Medical Center now stands in honor of those who gave the gift of life through organ donation. Among those honored is Deputy Ben Zirbel, the Clay County Deputy who died in a crash last August.
According to information listed by the memorial, Zirbel's gift helped at least five people, including a 70-year-old man who received his heart.
The memorial is named after Vincent Alderson, the late hospital services coordinator at Orange Park Medical who worked to make organ donations possible there for about five years. He died in July 2018.
"He gave so much to help other people," said Alderson's son, Andrew Alderson. "And he was always there for us."
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Vincent Alderson's kids, Andrew and Addie, were there as the memorial named after their father was unveiled.
"He was definitely a very passionate person," said Addie Alderson. "Definitely passionate about organ donation. So it definitely seems fitting that this wall was donated to him."
The memorial is interactive, allowing you to scroll through the stories of donors like Zirbel and Vincent Alderson. You can even register as a donor in real time.
It's a vision brought to life by the staff Vincent Alderson leaves behind at Orange Park Medical, and a source of pride for his family.
"It's really beautiful to see all the people up there that have helped others," said Andrew Alderson.
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Cox Media Group